Welcome To My View

self-promotion

n

the act or practice of promoting one's own interests, profile, etc.

I have been thinking about all the publicity that puppy mills receive in the press.  I also wonder about all the television time the local SPCAs get.  We are all aware of the attention the USHS receives.  With all the publicity available, why aren't Kennel Clubs and Breed Clubs not getting their fair share?

It seems to me that we could be doing a better job "self-promoting".  Are we sending a press release to the local television and radio stations about our upcoming dog shows?  Why not?  We should be making ourselves available for news interviews, morning show interviews.  We had some great Pure Bred Dog ambassadors for the Westminster Dog Show in Ontario.  Why would our television stations be so interested in our sport only for Westminster?

Should there be  specialized training offered to the local kennel clubs on how to write a news release?  Should we train on how to generate local interest?  We do a good job at putting on dog shows, rallies and handling classes.  We need to be offering more events that would bring local news interest.  I have public relations background and can help clubs with news releases and contacting local news organizations to get the publicity we need.  Who else in our dog fancy has skills that could be used to improve our self promotion?  Come forward to your local clubs and offer your expertise.  That would be the first half.  The matching half would be the clubs responding to the offers of help.  We need to think out of the box.  

Clubs need to invest back into themselves.  Ideas:

• Meet the Breeds - why aren't clubs offering this one day event to the public?

• Obedience and Agility - why aren't clubs offering a one day training for the public?

• Why aren't we offering fund raisers to assist the public.  There is a group in Atlanta, Ga that holds a monthly bingo night.  It is outrageously fun and wacky. All proceeds go to assist the sick and elderly with vet bills and food purchases

• Why aren't we helping to build dog parks?  

• Why aren't we doing more with schools.  Offering information about Junior Handling to students.  

I don't think this is the time to wait for the CKC to offer any solutions.  It is the time that we come up with ideas on our local levels and be proactive.  Perhaps we can learn from each other.  This may be the time that several clubs work together to make a dog event more visible to the public or create a new public event together.

The more success we achieve on the local level, the more weight clubs can carry on the national level.  Experience, self-promotion,  public awareness equals a healthier Dog Fancy.

Pam Is In

Westminster.........Wags, Wins, and Woes

                                       by Pam McClintock

The spectacle  that is Westminster has culminated in a handsome little winner called 'Banana Joe'. And what an amazingly monumental effort surrounded the entire event. This  year the all breed  shows were judged at the piers, 92 and 94, and getting there was  half the fun,  as they say. Driving up to the main entrance spectators were immediately welcomed by a huge purple and gold Westminster banner,  and inside the doors, plush purple carpeting covered the entire floor surface. The extravagant footing extended for what seemed  to be miles in all directions. What a greeting, and as the excitement rose, so too did the disappointment,  as it was immediately apparent that getting in close ringside proximity in order to  view judging was nearly impossible. One row of chairs surrounded the rings on two sides  and from there it was  standing room only. Being tall was definitely an asset. On  the plus side, benching aisles were wider and roomier which certainly added to the comfort of dogs and handlers alike.

My task this year was to exhibit at the Metro specialties being held at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City. However our hotel was at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. So, each day we boarded the  shuttle bus and made the trek through the Lincoln Tunnel, then  being deposited  a half block from the hotel. While manoeuvring city streets, with dogs, crates and equipment it suddenly struck me that our dogs are truly the heroes in this marathon that we call Westminster. I witnessed my young ten month old  being lifted on and off buses, riding  calmly in her crate as the shuttle lurched and swayed through city streets, riding up and down elevators and escalators and her first up close  encounter with a city pigeon, all taken in stride and without missing a beat.  Centuries ago when wild dogs circled the fires of ancient man, it became clear that the canines could be useful to the hunter/gatherers of that time period. Domestication was born of the necessity to have a dog  as a steady  hunter, tracker and worthy companion.

Fast forward to 2013 with the beauty and pageantry of the New York show and I could not help but be amazed and humbled by the dogs. While we struggled with traffic, buses, taxis, schedules, crowds, a storm called Nemo, and general chaos,  there were the dogs: stoic, composed,  tolerant, compliant,  quietly waiting for direction from us, their guardians. Outfits are carefully chosen for this yearly extravaganza but seldom do we consider the real stars of this event. After judging at the piers, the breed winners were then transported by bus to Madison Square Garden for group  judging. Total the  many moves, shuttle rides, hours of crating and grooming and then two brief nights of viewing pleasure, while we witnessed exquisite, flawless performances  by some of  the best dogs  that the  world has to offer. Best in show judging is nothing short of magnificent, and yet again 7 dogs performed with the grit, determination and spirit of the super stars that they are. While  we may be weary,  our dogs  are eager and anxious to do it all again, if only to be near us and to know they are pleasing us. Truly, I am in awe. We ask  and expect so much from our marvelous dogs and the return on our investments are these glorious creatures that exhibit impeccably under strained and less than desirable conditions. To all the dogs everywhere who attended Westminster, whether successful or not, you are all winners  and a testament to your breed, your owners and handlers,  and a reminder of those days long ago when mankind desired and accepted the dog into his realm, his home, his family and life. What an auspicious beginning for our best friend. Kudos, big pats and hugs to the dogs of Westminster. You've  come a long way baby!!! 

If you would like to respond to Pam, please email her at pamm@niagara.com 

I like to see people do nice things for others.  If someone does something nice for you at a show or you see or hear about something nice being done, please send me an email at djenkins@shaw.ca.   Be sure to put in the subject: Nice

We will mention that person by name in the blog.

https://www.entryline.com/

The Entry Line is our Spotlight this week.  I could not live without The Entry Line when I enter Ontario, Quebec or Atlantic Province shows.  They really take care that I have not made any mistakes.  They have emailed me when they think I have made an entry  error and work with me to get it corrected.  They truly are a one-stop for our local entries.  

The Entry Line is a Canadian Dog Show Entry Service that accepts entries for events in Ontario, Quebec, and most of the Atlantic provinces in Canada. We are located in Brantford, which is in South Western Ontario, and service over 100 shows per year including conformation, obedience and specialties. All shows that The Entry Line handles can be seen under the "Show Calendar" section of this website.

The Entry Line 'Dog Show Entry Service' officially began business on January 1, 1990. Jo-Ann Nichols started it as a small venture to fill the need for an accurate and friendly service for exhibitors to enter their dogs at the last minute. Jo-Ann and one other friend manned a single phone line 6 days a week, sometimes 10 hours a day or more to accommodate a growing clientele.

Great Job, Joanne, Stacey, CJ, Deb and Sharon!  

Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds".  They are happening all around us.  Let's talk about the people helping others.

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                  XXXOOO